AYUSH Ministry launches Journal of Drug Research in Ayurvedic Sciences

New Delhi: A special issue of the research publication of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, the Journal of Drug Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (JDRAS), was released recently by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush in the presence of Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS, and senior officials and researchers of the Council.

This special edition of JDRAS is dedicated to the emerging field of Ayurveda Aahara. It represents a significant step forward in the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to bridge traditional Ayurvedic dietary wisdom with modern scientific understanding.

Highlighting the significance of scientific research in food science and nutrition, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, remarked, "Addressing today’s food-related challenges requires innovative, science-backed solutions rooted in tradition.

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Our research on Ayurveda Aahara offers valuable insights for preventive health, linking ancient dietary wisdom with modern science to foster sustainable and nutritious practices for contemporary society."

Ayurveda Aahar Logo

It is noted that in alignment with India’s age-old traditions of Ayurveda, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in consultation with the Ministry of Ayush, introduced the Food Safety and Standards (Ayurveda Aahara) Regulations, 2022. These regulations, officially notified on May 5, 2022, formally define “Ayurveda Aahara” as food prepared according to the recipes, ingredients, or processes described in authoritative Ayurveda texts. The regulations aim to safeguard the identity and authenticity of Ayurveda-based dietary practices, preserving the original principles of Ayurveda food preparation. As part of these efforts, FSSAI has also launched a unique logo for Ayurveda Aahara, unveiled on June 7, 2022.

JDRAS

As India’s leading institution in Ayurveda research, CCRAS has been pivotal in advancing Ayurveda Aahara through various scientific initiatives and validation projects. This special issue of JDRAS showcases the latest research activities, focusing on Ayurveda’s holistic dietary principles and their scientific underpinnings. CCRAS is actively documenting and validating traditional food recipes, studying the health impacts of specific medicinal plants used in ethnic diets, and standardising recipes to establish protocols that align with modern dietary practices.

While talking about the research activity of CCRAS on Ayurveda Aahara, Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS, said, “Our research on Ayurveda Aahara has gained international recognition, highlighting the value of Ayurveda’s dietary practices in modern food science. With FSSAI now recognising Ayurveda Aahara, CCRAS is at the forefront, aligning traditional wisdom with global health priorities to offer sustainable, science-backed nutritional solutions for today’s challenges.”

Through comprehensive research, CCRAS aims to bridge traditional knowledge and modern health practices. The Council has conducted survey studies across regions to document traditional dietary practices and recipes handed down through generations. Additionally, scientific validation efforts are being carried out to verify these foods' nutritional and therapeutic benefits.

At the same time, the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Ayurveda-based recipes ensures quality and consistency in their preparation. These initiatives contribute to creating evidence-based dietary guidelines relevant to contemporary society, making Ayurveda Aahara accessible and acceptable to a global audience.

The traditional wisdom of Ayurveda recognises food as a foundation for health and wellness. This understanding, which has long guided communities in making healthy dietary choices, is now supported by the Ministry of Ayush and FSSAI’s regulatory framework. CCRAS’s extensive research initiatives highlight how Ayurveda Ahara can meet modern public health demands. With projects focusing on validating recipes and ingredients, CCRAS aims to bring scientifically proven benefits of Ayurveda Aahara into mainstream dietary practices, helping individuals make healthier, informed choices.

With the launch of this special JDRAS issue, CCRAS reiterates its commitment to further exploring and validating Ayurveda’s dietary heritage. The studies featured in this special issue emphasize how integration with scientific methods enriches the Ayurvedic perspective on nutrition, offering a unique blend of tradition and evidence-based health solutions. By advancing research in this domain, CCRAS ensures that Ayurveda Ahara remains relevant and widely applicable, bridging the gap between ancient wisdom and modern nutritional science.

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